[bc_video video_id="6248487374001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] Looking to upgrade your coffee table, but not sure where to start? Designer Arren Williams is sharing his DIY guide to create a stunning display.

Step 1: 

Clean off the surface, and place your regular bits and bobs off to the side so that you can assess how you want your "tablescape" to look, and to make it useful in the long term. Click here for my coffee table recommendation.

Step 2: 

Break down the surface into separate zones using trays or flat platters. Doing this makes building the tablescape easier, as it keeps everything contained. Two to three trays should do it, and keeping them neutral works best.

Step 3: 

Start to build your zones, ensuring each has a playful mix of heights and materials, yet all still hang together from a design perspective. That means coming up with a colour palette, or design style, to keep you on track. I'm going with a monochromatic look. I'm going with a large vase, followed by a series of secondary objects in my largest tray. Zig-zag the ascending height of these pieces to make them sing.

Step 4: 

Using a similar process, build out the other zones. I love scented candles, so I like to corral them onto one tray to make a statement, and I use decorative boxes to hold remote controls.

Step 5: 

Add something odd! Seriously. We're looking for personality, here. Anything that means something to you and is a conversation piece.

Step 6: 

Add in something BIG to make your setup sing! A branch of budding blossoms or a big tropical leaf. Click here for my rug recommendation.

[bc_video video_id="6247290418001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] With more of us spending so much time at home – and more time cooking – now is the perfect time to transform your kitchen! Painting the walls will certainly bring new life to the space but painting your cabinets and updating the hardware will be the most impressive change you can make without the expense of a full remodel. [caption id="attachment_238869" align="alignnone" width="344"] CREDIT: Benjamin Moore[/caption]

PAINT DETAILS: (WALLS): Paper White OC-55 Regal® Select, Eggshell (CROWN MOLDING): White Heron OC-57 Regal® Select, Semi-Gloss (CEILING):White Heron OC-57, Waterborne Ceiling Paint, Ultra Flat (CABINETS):Gray Owl OC-52, ADVANCE®, Satin (ISLAND):Caribbean Blue Water 2055-30 ADVANCE®, Satin (DOOR):Marblehead Gold HC-11, Aura® Grand Entrance®, High Gloss

  While the trend in wood tones is moving to a safe mid-range, when it comes to paint, we are seeing everything from rich blues and greens to soft, fresh pales and neutrals.  White kitchens are classic but if you’re customizing with paint, the color options are limitless, so dare to be adventurous with color! Want to add just a touch of colour to your neutral kitchen? Painting the island in a contrasting shade is a favourite designer trick to add style and a focal point to the kitchen. The kitchen is the most high-traffic space in any home making durability essential.Opt for the hard, furniture-like finish of Advance interior paint, available in four popular sheens, including matte and high gloss, to suit any kitchen style from farmhouse to ultra-modern. [caption id="attachment_238868" align="alignnone" width="276"] CREDIT: Benjamin Moore[/caption]

PAINT DETAILS: (WALLS): Fernwood Green 2145-40, Regal® Select, Eggshell (DOORS): Witching Hour 2120-30, Aura® Grand Entrance®, Satin (CABINETS): Flora AF-470, ADVANCE®, Satin

  There are many painting companies that will custom paint kitchen cabinet doors, so there is help out there if you don’t want to take this on alone.  However, if you want to “do-it-yourself”, follow these tips for best results:

• After cleaning, sand the cabinets with 100 grit sand-paper to cut the sheen of any previous products and then wipe clean with a tack cloth
• Prime with Benjamin Moore's Fresh Start Primer or STIX Primer for greater adhesion
• Allow to dry, then paint at least 2 coats of finishing paint.

Benjamin Moore’s ADVANCE Paint in a high gloss provides a slick, modern look or try the Satin finish for a soft sheen. Some of my favourite kitchen colours are: By Sharon Grech, Benjamin Moore Colour & Design Expert

Does your spice drawer look like more of a wreck than a rack? We’re looking for Canada’s Messiest Spice Drawer. Send us your photo and you could appear on an upcoming episode of Cityline - and win a $500 HomeSense gift card!  To enter, fill out the form below. Read the contest rules here. (Form will load below this line of text).  [gravityform id="45" title="false" description="true"]    

If there's any season to support local, it's this one. Rogers, the parent company of Cityline, is committed to increasing Diversity and Inclusion in culture and our programming. We have created the Holiday Harmony Project to spotlight diverse Canadian businesses and connect them with consumers this holiday season! These diverse businesses are owned by equity seeking groups (Black, Women, Indigenous, People of Colour, LGBTQIA2s+ communities and Persons with Disabilities). Here are five of the incredible featured brands:

1. Deliaestelle Designs

Owned and operated by Stephanie Peltier, a First Nation Ojibway Beadwork Artist based out of Ottawa, Deliaestelle Designs offers stunning jewelry that is, in Stephanie's words, "trendy, modern, edgy and chic, with a number of various materials used per set with a traditional twist". Click here to shop

2. MFMG Cosmetics 

Founder of Toronto-based MFMG Cosmetics, Tomi, says that the company is comprised of "a community of thousands of women that are tired of being the last two shades in a collection and hearing 'we're working on it' when yet another brand ignores the beauty needs of deeper skin tones." Click here to shop

3. Mary's Brigadeiro Handcrafted Chocolate 

Ready to drool? According to this Toronto based company, "Mary's Brigadeiro is a black woman led business with the mission of realizing Mary's dream of sharing moments of happiness, joy and fun through her chocolate creations with the rest of the world - through Canada's vast multicultural influence." If you're new to the world of Brigadeiro, they best describe it as "a composition of Sweetened Condensed Milk, a good quality of butter, pure Cocoa Powder and real chocolate up to 50% cacao to a perfect balance of sweetness. You can also find other flavours." Click here to shop

4. Sisters Sage

Sisters Sage is an Indigenous-owned brand located in Vancouver that "hand-crafts wellness and self-care products inspired by our culture and traditions". The company is, in fact, owned by two sisters - Lynn-Marie & Melissa-Rae Angus - who specialize in products including sprays, soaps, and bath bombs. Click here to shop

5. RB & Co. 

As a "provider of all things plush", Toronto's Black-owned Rowellbee / RB & Co. sell a variety of home comfort products - including decorative throw pillows, body and lounge pillows, pillow inserts, nursing pillows, plus an array of shapewear. Click here to shop SHOP NOW across 8 gift categories to find something for everyone on your list! Click here for the complete guide.

[bc_video video_id="6191370831001" account_id="2226196965001" player_id="rkljM4WDEg"] Believe it or not - the sweater vest has made a comeback. Yes, you read that correctly! They’re a great way to add an interesting element to your classic looks for the office or for the everyday. By adding a sweater vest to your ensemble you have added an element of ‘fall’ , and interesting layers for warmth. Plus, the piece can help you make your summer wardrobe, seasonally appropriate. When I find a trend, I need to find a way to make it myself. So, i'm going to show you how simple and fast it is to make your very own sweater vest! Items: 

• A sweater
• Pair of scissors
• Iron
• Fabric glue or needle and thread

Method: There are a few things to consider when picking your sweater, do you want an oversized vest look? Would you like a turtle-neck vest, or would you prefer a boat neck? Another option is you can use a cardigan, so you have a button up sweater vest. 1. Lay flat, and cut off the arms 2. Pull your sweater inside out 3. Fold over about an inch all the way around 4. Iron the fold down flat 5. You can glue or hand or machine stitch, you know me though, glue is the way to go And that's it!